Let us look at today’s gospel. First, this is the gospel of John. It is the last one written in the bible and it is the most literary. So there are nuances that one can see which may not appear in the other gospel. This particular story is not in the others gospels as well. Let us look at what is happening.

A woman is coming to draw water at Jacob’s well. She is a Samaritan. Remember, the Samaritans considered themselves the more faithful followers of Judaism since their separation from the rest of the Jewish community as a consequence of the fall of the Kingdom of Israel to the hands of the Assyrians, later to be enhanced by again the separation of the Jewish community from the diaspora after the Babylonian Exile about 150 years later.

There was, as we know, great animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans. So as we see in the gospel, Jesus meeting with this Samaritan woman is breaking every kind of taboo between the two communities there is. She cites this in the conversation.

However, let’s focus on her. She comes to the well to draw water. It is midday. It is hot and no one is around. Why? She is a sinner. She is on her fifth husband probably has several children from previous marriages. She is probably considered the town floozy, hence why she draws water later in the day than those who do so in the morning. She does not want to experience the condemnations, the stares, the gossip. the “Shhhh, here she comes.” Followed by the smiles to her face with the stab in back. Or even the back-handed compliments. “My you look good today, all your men must be proud, snicker, snicker snicker.”

So she comes alone. This time Jesus meets her.

Let’s look at the fruit of this conversation.

Notice after her conversation with Jesus she leaves her water jug at the well and then goes  into town to proclaim her encounter with Jesus. It is a powerful symbol, the likes of which is worthy of an Ernest Hemingway short story. Indeed, when I noticed this, I thought immediately of the movie, Sleepless in Seattle, you know when the backpack is left behind?

She came to the well to draw water and after encountering Jesus, not only does she not end up drawing water, she leaves the jug behind for now she has a new well for which does not need the jug.

She has found in Christ, what she could find from no one else. She found from this man, what she could find from no other man, despite years of searching. This changed her life.

Let’s look at this for a second.

I believe we are in a time in our history where we are being called to ask ourselves, what is at the core of what we want? What are we looking for. There has always been hostility to Catholicism in this country, in fact, the National Conference of Christian and Jews was formed after Al Smith lost the presidential election because he was, well you know, a Catholic. However, in the 1950’s and on, many in the Catholic community worked to be more accepted by the American culture. We sought what the others sought. However, the cost of being accepted in this country was compromising our goals. It is time to ask ourselves a difficult question: Do you want the American Dream or do you want Heaven? You do not have to give up the American Dream to live your faith, however the next question is which goal has the higher priority? Remember, at any moment every material good that you have gained can be lost to the powers of the world. The life giving water that Christ gives to us can never be taken away without us choosing to give it up. Which holds the greatest promise?

The woman at the well, was clearly looking for happiness and sought it in the things of the world. However, when she learns that, she cannot find what she is looking for there, she discovers Jesus and then leaves that journey to begin another.

Let’s look at what she does, again she leaves the jug behind.

What does that represent? Water from the well, the very substance that sustains life here on Earth. But Jesus is offering more than can be found on Earth, He is offering her eternal life. She leaves the jug behind, because that jug does not hold the water she seeks: the living water.

Which jug do you hold. Are you seeking what this world offers? Remember that is only good at most for as the bible says 70 or 80 years. Or are you seeking that life sustaining living water that is more precious than all the gold on the planet collectively? One jug is useless for the other water. What are you leaving behind to find that living water? Or what are you leaving behind to find the earthly water in the well.

What is dear to your heart that you now realize is ultimately not life-sustaining? Can you leave it behind?

These are questions to ask yourself this week.

I am reminded of a bank commercial when I grew up. There was the a man with a party hat, a balloon and maybe even a toaster. The announcer off camera tells us that the man just returned from his bank. He explains that the man got a silly hat, a balloon and even a toaster, then asks the man if he got the loan. The man looks sad and shakes his head “no”. He got many things, none of which is what he ultimately was looking for.

The man went to the bank and got many things except what he was looking for. What are you looking for? what are you finding? or are you allowing your search to be side-tracked by many things? Coming home with lots of things except for what you are really seeking?

Lent is a good time to decide to choose Jesus’ life giving water every day!

Let’s do it.

God Bless You,
Fr. Robert J Carr

Fr. Carr is an alliance member of the New Song Community (Canção Nova). He is the pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Somerville, MA and is the editor of this blog. You may also find his videos in English at Gloria.tv. He also has a regular radio program on both Radio Maria, New York/New England in Spanish and WebRadio Canção Nova.